SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento held a change of command ceremony Friday, marking the transfer of leadership from Capt. Bradford Apitz to Capt. Patrick Dill
Rear Adm. Jeffrey Novak, commander of Coast Guard Southwest District, presided over the ceremony in which Dill assumed command following Apitz tenure as the air station’s commanding officer.
Apitz served as the air station’s commanding officer from June 2024 to July 2026. During his tenure, he transformed strategic vision into tactical action, leading the Coast Guard’s largest operational HC-27J fixed-wing unit, managing $214 million in assets and a $1.8 million budget. Responsible for protecting more than 1,200 miles of coastline, Apitz’ superb leadership resulted in more than 250 border security patrols, 443 days deployed, and 54 search and rescue cases with seven lives saved and 25 lives assisted.
"It has been an absolute honor and privilege to lead this phenomenal crew and be a part of their success,” said Apitz. “I am fully confident that Air Station Sacramento will continue to excel under Capt. Dill’s leadership, and I look forward to continue serving this great organization as I prepare to transfer to the Coast Guard East District."
Dill assumes command of the air station after serving as the Southwest District chief of Incident Management. Previously, Dill served as the commander of Coast Guard Sector San Diego and Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans.
“Capt. Apitz, thank you for your steady hand at the controls and your unmatched dedication to this unit,” said Dill. “It is a privilege to assume command of Air Station Sacramento, and I am honored to stand the watch alongside the finest crews in aviation!"
The change of command ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility of a unit from one commanding officer to another.
For breaking news, follow us on X. For additional information, find us on Facebook and Instagram.
-USCG-